local activities

Attractions

No, really....there's a ton to do in the knoxville area! :) How else do you think linda kept herself entertained for 18 years?? Here are some of our recommendations:

• Knoxville Museum of Art: Linda worked at two major exhibits here during high school, and it is the major art museum in Knoxville. The museum space itself is impressive, with an entire glass wall (of the "Great Hall") looking out over the World's Fair Park.


• World's Fair Park: The 1982 World's Fair was held in Knoxville, and the Sunsphere is the distinguishing landmark. (Unfortunately, it is not open to the public!) However, World's Fair Park was relandscaped and redesigned in 2003, and is a beautiful place to walk around and explore.


• Women's Basketball Hall of Fame: Opened up in 1999 in the heart of women's basketball country (sorry all you UCONN and Duke fans), this attraction celebrates the past, present, and future of women's basketball.


• Dollywood: For those willing to brave the traffic of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville, Dollywood is a kitschy theme park built around the whole Smoky Mountains theme.


• Ijams Nature Center: A nature park with tons of trails and educational exhibits


• Smoky Mountains: According to 'some book Linda scanned recently', this national park is the most visited park in the nation (according to a 2004 study). Although fall foliage usually peaks at the end of October in the mountains, this is a beautiful place to drive through... if you can stand the traffic :)


• Autumn on the Square: For those arriving early in Knoxville, Blues Traveler will be playing on Thursday (October 5th, contrary to the webpage) evening. If Mother Nature cooperates, this will be a beautiful night to enjoy an outdoor concert.


• Market Square Farmer's Market: On a related note, the farmer's market is held at Market Square every Wednesday (11 AM--2 PM) and Saturday (9 AM--1 PM).


• NEW: Mast General Store will open in August 2006 in downtown Knoxville. This store features old-time merchandise and over 500! old-fashioned candy favorites. Sugar rush, anyone?

Eating

Being in the South, Knoxville's dining scene is not as varied as say, New York or Boston, but does have some quality establishments. Here are a few of our suggestions:

King Tut: South Knoxville. It's a dive and in a weird location but great Middle Eastern food. The owner, Mo, is a bit quirky. We haven't tried Mo's "Best Greek salad" yet....

Puleo's: Strawberry Plains and West Knoxville (Cedar Bluff). Your Southern (US)-Italian fusion restuarant. Fried green tomatoes are super good.

Litton's: North Knoxville. Awesome burgers. Also save room for dessert!

The Sun Spot: UT Campus. Mainly a vegetarian restaurant with an eclectic menu and a healthy assortment of beers :)

Tomato Head: Downtown. Salads, soups, sandwiches, pizza. Also tasty weekend brunch (breakfast pizzas, omelet bar, waffle bar)

Time Out Deli: West Knoxville. Robert (Joyce's brother) swears by this place. Middle Eastern food and open late on the weekend (i.e. 2 AM)

Kaya: West Knoxville (by the West Town Mall)We went here with Joyce the last time we were in Knoxville. AWESOME Korean buffet (Ben claims better than any of Durham's Korean restaurants) for only 8.95!!! on Saturday and Sunday (opens at noon).

(Note: also recently heard that tacquerias are popping up all over Knoxville!)

BBQ

Can't visit the South without a question of "where's the bbq?" If you're not sick of the BBQ at our reception, here are a internet tidbits:

"M&M Catering...the cinder block shack on Middlebrook Pike next to the Maytag laundomat, has the best BBQ in Knoxville...it's not a restaurant, though, and you have to eat the gi-normous sandwiches in your car or on the grass."

"Dixson's Barbeque is a little place off Magnolia behind the Dixie Tavern. Worlds collide! They are only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. An old tradition as they start cooking on Thursday and the first fruits are ready that afternoon. When they run out, it's all over. They serve the greatest thing Knoxville ever created food-wise, the pigburger. A must. Generally you wanna get it to go as there is really no room to eat there. It's good to call ahead too as you may find they are out of what you want. It's the last of true Knoxville barbeque that goes back 60 years to Tip Jackson's Dad."

also see this unddated but very comprehensive article about knoxville's bbq scene